Churna Island as 'MPA' to boost marine conservation efforts

Islamabad:The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has appreciated the Balochistan government for designating Churna Island as a marine protected area, making it the second such area in the country following Astola Island, which is also in the province.

"This long-awaited decision marks a significant step in protecting the island’s rich marine biodiversity and reflects our sustained efforts and achievements towards coastal and marine protection in Pakistan," IUCN country representative Mahmood Akhtar Cheema told reporters.

He said IUCN Pakistan, the convener of the National Coordinating Body – a joint-stakeholder platform chaired by the Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination, had been actively engaged in coastal conservation and governance across the country.

Mr Cheema said the marine initiative launched by IUCN Pakistan in 2016 under the Mangroves for Future programme, with support from NCB and its members, including the Balochistan forest and wildlife department, had worked diligently over the years on strategic research, identification, and enhancement of marine protected areas in Pakistan.

"These efforts resulted in attention towards four proposed locations for MPA which included Astola Island, Churna Island, Miani Hor, and Gwadar Bay. The proposed areas were considered vulnerable to human activities and interventions, endangering their preservation and fragile ecosystems. The efforts by IUCN Pakistan and NCB members led to the historic milestone of Astola Island’s official recognition as the first-ever marine protected area in Pakistan followed by Astola’s designation as the second such area," he said.

The IUCN country representative said Churna Island served as a significant marine hotspot, renowned for its rich marine life, including 25 species of coral reef, 250 fish species, several migratory bird species, endangered whale sharks, and sea turtles.

He said the MPA designation would provide the necessary legal protection to Churna Island’s surrounding water, regulating human activities such as fishing, tourism, and industrial pollution, which had posed a threat to the island’s ecosystem in recent years.

"Our vision and approach towards marine protection serves as a sustainable model for preserving biodiversity, promoting responsible resource use, and ensuring long-term conservation of marine ecosystems. Along NCB members, we're actively contributing through further programs and studies to establish and implement management plans for both Churna and Astola islands," he said.